Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Gran Coronas

My favourite wine in January, hands down (or would that be bottoms up)? Gran Coronas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Torres Reserva, Spain, 2005. Enjoyed sipping it on its own, even though it would have gone very nicely with a charcuterie platter as the label suggests. The wine made me feel like summer wasn't that far away.... 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Tempranillo, and nicely priced at $18.95.

I did find this a bit sharp on the palate on first taste, but then the big berries come in to smooth things over. LCBO tasting notes are loquacious: "Structured with intense fruit flavours and silky tannins, this full-bodied Reserva displays alluring aromas and flavours of redcurrants, new leather, coffee, vanilla and a classic touch of roasted bell pepper. Exquisite with grilled pork chops, stuffed veal tenderloin or beef fajitas."

Not only tasty, but it made the 'Green List' of wineries minimizing their environmental impact, a distinction given to the top 50 influential companies promoting environmentally friendly viticulture practices. Couldn't find many further details about what this meant. Hopefully it's not just a marketing ploy.

A close runner-up was a Guigal, Chateau dAmpuis, Cotes du Rhone, AC, France, 2005, which would have been more enjoyable without the aroma of wet dog fur. Given a chance to decant the smell mellowed, but I didn't have the patience for the first glass. By the second glass it was less of an issue.

About Me

This anthology is good company! Bought it in a small independent bookstore in Hawaii (the most Western independent bookstore in the USA ). Full of wisdom and fantastic writing, and perfect to read next to the majestic crashing surf.

A mass murderer ends up in a coma and a doctor feeds him experimental drugs, with the result that the man develops supernatural powers of mind control. From his bed he enters heads and plants such disparaging thoughts people kill themsel...

I read this to entertain myself before we headed off on our vacation, and ended up gaining a great appreciation for how diverse the islands are, with so many different cultures colliding in recent history. The Polynesians came to inhabit...

Monarchs are endangered by climate change, and in this book they are on the verge of extinction. Kingsolver's writing was beautiful and insightful. She painted with words so well.
Our book club discussion that night jumped back and fort...